Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Tharchin (1921 - 2004) was born in Lhasa, Tibet in 1921 and entered Sera Monastery there at an early age. He proceeded through the rigorous 25 year program of
monastic studies under the guidance of Pabongka Rinpoche and Kyabje Trijang
Rinpoche. Upon successful completion of public examination by the best
scholars of the day, Rinpoche was awarded the highest degree of Hlarampa
Geshe (doctor of philosophy) with honors, and is one of the last living
Hlarampa Geshes educated in Tibet. He proved to be the best debater of his
graduation year in all of Tibet, making him the "First among the First."

Khen Rinpoche then entered Gyu Mey Tantric College, where he completed its
course of advanced tantric studies and attained a high-ranking administrative
position. In 1959 Rinpoche escaped from Tibet into India along with His
Holiness the Dalai Lama. He became actively involved in resettlement, and
compiled a series of textbooks used in the Tibetan refugee schools.

Khen Rinpoche came to the United States in 1972 and became Abbot of Rashi
Gempil Ling Temple in New Jersey. After going to South India in 1991 and serving as Abbot of Sera Mey
monastery for some time, he returned to the United States. Khen Rinpoche
Geshe Lobsang Tharchin was a lifetime director and an abbot emeritus of Sera
Mey monastery, as well as founder of the Mahayana Sutra and Tantra Center,
which has branches in New Jersey and Washington, DC. He was also the
spiritual director of the Asian Classics Institute, the Asian Classics Input
Project, Diamond Abbey, and Godstow.

We note with immense sorrow and a profound sense of loss the passing
of Sermey Khensur Lobsang Tharchin Rinpoche (1921-2004), eminent
lama and renowned scholar of the Gelukpa tradition. Please
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Geshe Michael Roach is a fully ordained American monk who received
his geshe (doctor of Theology) degree from Sera Mey Monastery in India
after 22 years of study there and in the United
States with his root Lama, Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Tharchin. Geshe Michael
has been teaching Buddhism since 1981. He is a scholar of Sanskrit, Tibetan,
and Russian, and has translated and published numerous works. Geshe Roach
received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University, and worked
in New York City as a director of a large diamond firm for many years. He is the
founder of the Asian Classics Institute, the Asian Classics Input
Project, Diamond Abbey, Three Jewels Bookstore, Godstow Retreat Center, Diamond Mountain Retreat Center and the Enlightened Business Institute and has been active in the restoration of Sera Mey Monastery.